Richardson Rough Water Swim Event Canceled Due to Ongoing Construction at Park

The Richardson Rough Water Swim Event is canceled due to ongoing construction at Richardson Ocean Park.

The open ocean swim event is held annually in late July or early August at Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo, where the start and finish lines are established and where pre-and post-event activities are hosted. The event involves well over 100 participants in addition to numerous supporters, spectators, and event staff at the park.

The swim was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned last year. The event is slated to return in 2023. 

The park remains open for the public to use during the event. 

Due to active construction that began on June 6, the Richardson Ocean Center and onsite parking lot are closed, and access to the park and its shoreline are limited due to construction work area barricades.

Beginning as early as July 5, county officials say the active construction area will be expanded, further limiting access to the beach area.

The public restrooms will also be closed for renovation. Portable restrooms will be provided for public use through the project’s completion, which is anticipated in February 2023. Showers will continue to be provided throughout the project.

The improvements this project will deliver are required for the County’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will benefit all park users in numerous ways for years to come.